Several groups of illegal immigrants have been intercepted or rescued along the Andalucian coast in the past twenty-four hours.
A cruise ship picked up 16 North Africans about 20 miles south of Cabo de Gata in Almeria and took them to Barcelona, the destination of the liner, where they were handed over to the authorities.
In Cádiz, Guardia Civil officers managed to intercept four sub-Saharans who had arrived on Cala Poza beach in Algeciras in their inflatable toy boat. After being treated for mild hypothermia, the immigrants were handed over to the National Police.
Seven North Africans were intercepted off Tarifa. They were also travelling in an inflatable dinghy, a popular means of transport at the moment.